Saskatoon hosts launch of series on women's voices in literature (02/28/99)

Saskatoon hosts launch of series on women's voices in literature

SASKATOON - "Women's Voice in Ukrainian Literature," a new series of English translations of Ukrainian short stories by Ukrainian women writers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries was launched at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada in Saskatoon in January. The focus of the evening was the first two volumes of this series: "The Spirit of the Times" (Olena Pchilka, 1849-1930, and Nataliya Kobrynska, 1855-1920) and "In the Dark of the Night" (Dniprova Chayka, 1861-1827, and Lyubov Yanovska, 1861-1933).

Marie Kishchuk, museum chairperson, outlined the background of courses in Ukrainian literature in English translation offered at the University of Saskatchewan since 1983. She pointed out that with the publication of this new series Ukrainian literature in English translation may now reach a broader audience.

Roma Franko, the translator of the series, discussed the translation process. Sonia Morris, editor, provided an introduction to the series, biographical information about the four authors, and an overview of the short fiction represented in the first two volumes. Both the translator and editor opted for early retirement from teaching and administrative positions at the University of Saskatchewan in 1996 to devote themselves to the translation project.

Three additional volumes in the series "Women's Voices in Ukrainian Literature" will be published in 1999 as follows: "But the Lord is Silent" (Olha Kobylianska, 1861-1942, and Yevheniya Yaroshynska, 1868-1904); "From Heart to Heart" (Hrytsko Hryhorenko, 1867-1924, and Lesya Ukrainka, 1871-1913); and "Warm the Children, O Sun," devoted to stories written about childhood and adolescence by women writers of that period.

During the second half of the program, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada inaugurated the Annie Palynchuk Book Award, 1999, by presenting the first two volumes of this series to Larisa Makuch, an outstanding Grade 12 student in the E.D. Feehan High School Ukrainian Bilingual Program.

Dr. Franko then paid tribute to six members of the Ukrainian community in Saskatoon who died in 1998. Five-volume sets were donated in their memory to the libraries of the following institutions: Helen Maksymiuk - Ukrainian Museum of Canada; Rosalia Sywanyk - Ukraina Museum; Mary Pernarowski - Mohyla Institute; Maria Dorosh - Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Saskatchewan Provincial Council; Anna Rozdilsky - Oseredok/Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre in Winnipeg; Dr. Steven Dershko - Ukrainian National Federation in Toronto. Representatives of these institutions were present to receive the first two volumes, and family members were given a scroll and a personalized tribute as a memento of the occasion.

Five-volume sets were also donated to the Murray Memorial Library and the College of Education Library, University of Saskatchewan, in recognition of the graduate scholarship in Ukrainian studies established by the parents of the editor and translator, Roman and Sonia Stratychuk.

This highly successful and well-attended book launch ended most enjoyably with a wine and cheese reception, a book-signing session and much animated conversation.

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